A Review Of Namiki Emperor In Vermillion Urushi

[hari317]

Shall keep the thread updated

 

What is the code on your clip?

 

The nib code on my pen is 1014, it was purchased new in Tokyo in the middle of last year.

 

Also Pilot(Namiki) does not call this pen the Emperor. This pen is simply called the 'Lacquer No 50'. As you might already be aware, they have another makie model called the Emperor. HTH.

[sannidh]

Sonik.. First of all congrats..

Second welcome back from hiatus and amazing trip to kerala...

 

And lastly... This is an impeccable review.. With minutest of details covered..

I am very well educated now with this review..

Do you mind me asking where did you purchase this from.. And as well as the izumo in picture..

 

Thank you Vaibhav so much

As I have mentioned, I bought both of them from Pensindia/Engeika shop.

[sannidh]

 

What is the code on your clip?

 

The nib code on my pen is 1014, it was purchased new in Tokyo in the middle of last year.

 

Also Pilot(Namiki) does not call this pen the Emperor. This pen is simply called the 'Lacquer No 50'. As you might already be aware, they have another makie model called the Emperor. HTH.

 

I will check that, once back at home. Something starting with E9XX iirc.

Yes. I am aware of that, (and it's not called Emperor by Namiki), that's why I refer to website name + model numbers in all communications

[prashant.tikekar]

Thank you Sonik for this review with minute deals. The name Emperor suits better

[Barkingpig]

Finally a wonderful "behind the scenes" look @ a pen I have only heard mentioned or written about BUT never really SEEN until NOW! I have been fascinated with the vermillion Pilot 845 BUT this pen is in another class. Perhaps the ONLY one in that class; it has size, style, a beautiful, unique shape & finish, with that GREAT feed & nib. This is the archetypal "Less is More," BUT with that SIZE there is clearly nothing "less" about it (unless the absence of cap rings!)

 

Thank you for an in depth, historical lesson about perhaps the most beautiful pen I have ever seen. I have only the 823 & it seems like a Pilot 78 G in comparison to this pen. I see the very expensive Namiki Emperor Maki-e pens on the French seller Erfobay's site & just do not understand the appeal. THIS pen I understand & thank you for making it possible for me to experience.

[shuuemura]

Fantastic review and beautiful photography. The pictures of an early No. 50 Jumbo with Dunhill-Namiki branding was particularly intriguing. Thanks for taking the effort to write up such an in-depth review of your pen!

 

The Pilot Somes pouch seems like it would fit the Emperor well. Could you show us a picture of your pen in the pouch? When I bought my Emperor years ago, the only pouch that Pilot made was way too tight. So I bought a custom-made Takuya pen case that fits my Emperor like a glove.

[Sudhir]

Hi Sonik

 

Excellent review of a beautiful pen. Don't mind sharing that this pen has shaken up the list of my grail pens and climbed to the top.

 

And before anyone objects and says that there can be only ONE GRAIL pen, I disagree. I have a wish list and call all of them my Grail pens.

 

But if someone were to force me and ask to choose the ONE PEN under pain of torture, then I believe this is what I would mention.

 

Cool review and very nice pics. Thanks for sharing.

 

Cheers

Sudhir

[hari317]

Don't mind sharing that this pen has shaken up the list of my grail pens and climbed to the top.

 

And before anyone objects and says that there can be only ONE GRAIL pen, I disagree. I have a wish list and call all of them my Grail pens.

 

But if someone were to force me and ask to choose the ONE PEN under pain of torture, then I believe this is what I would mention.

I totally agree. This pen was on the top of my list for very long too, but I was looking at the wrong places to buy one, where this pen was declared dead long ago. I had to go to the source to find one. It is a pen worth having... and the price is totally "justified"

 

Best

Hari

[Sagarb]

Superb review of a superb pen...congrats Mr.Mishra.

[mongrelnomad]

Fantastic review and beautiful photography. The pictures of an early No. 50 Jumbo with Dunhill-Namiki branding was particularly intriguing. Thanks for taking the effort to write up such an in-depth review of your pen!

 

The Pilot Somes pouch seems like it would fit the Emperor well. Could you show us a picture of your pen in the pouch? When I bought my Emperor years ago, the only pouch that Pilot made was way too tight. So I bought a custom-made Takuya pen case that fits my Emperor like a glove.

Would you mind posting some photos of the case (and a link if you have one? This pen writes too damn well (and my life is too untethered) for it to be relegated to a desktop.

[zaddick]

Thanks for the detailed review. It is nice to see other FPN members writing long, detailed reviews.

 

I would add that the inside of the cap has an almost velvety feel so that it can be posted without scratching.

 

Also, that picture of the older style nib after the Dunhill one is not one I have seen before. I thought the old ones said Namiki, not pilot.

[Sanjay13leo]

Pictures speak a thousand words and your review even more. Excellent review helping understand the pen the history the heritage the features. A beautiful featured picturesque documentary of a lovely pen. May you be blessed won most and more of such lovely gems of writing instruments.

[Prithwijit]

Fantastic review Sonik of a pen that is considered a grail by many. Can you compare the writing performance against a MB149 or any Bock #8 nib?.

 

Regards,

 

Prithwijit

[s_t_e_v_e]

Superb review, Sonik! Thorough as always!

I have always been a fan of the background you provide at the beginning of your review.

 

Have you measured the ink capacity? Looks like it would easily hold about 8-10mL.

[shuuemura]

Would you mind posting some photos of the case (and a link if you have one? This pen writes too damn well (and my life is too untethered) for it to be relegated to a desktop.

 

Here's a photo from many years ago. The case is still in great shape. I bought it from a shop called Elephant & Coral in Singapore that had commissioned a few different pen cases from Maison Takuya to fit the Emperor pen. I think my case is similar to the one for your Hakase Rw15C as they were made by the same folks.

 

[Abner C. Kemp]

So, maybe I missed it, but how much ink can this thing hold?? Amazing nib!!

[sannidh]

Thank you Sonik for this review with minute deals. The name Emperor suits better

 

Thank you Prashant. I would love to agree, this is the Emperor for me

 

Finally a wonderful "behind the scenes" look @ a pen I have only heard mentioned or written about BUT never really SEEN until NOW! I have been fascinated with the vermillion Pilot 845 BUT this pen is in another class. Perhaps the ONLY one in that class; it has size, style, a beautiful, unique shape & finish, with that GREAT feed & nib. This is the archetypal "Less is More," BUT with that SIZE there is clearly nothing "less" about it (unless the absence of cap rings!)

 

Thank you for an in depth, historical lesson about perhaps the most beautiful pen I have ever seen. I have only the 823 & it seems like a Pilot 78 G in comparison to this pen. I see the very expensive Namiki Emperor Maki-e pens on the French seller Erfobay's site & just do not understand the appeal. THIS pen I understand & thank you for making it possible for me to experience.

 

I totally agree with your view of beauty in unadorned simplicity some of the times.

I read your comment multiple times, and it has filled me with happiness.

Thank you

 

Regards,

Sonik

[sannidh]

Fantastic review and beautiful photography. The pictures of an early No. 50 Jumbo with Dunhill-Namiki branding was particularly intriguing. Thanks for taking the effort to write up such an in-depth review of your pen!

 

The Pilot Somes pouch seems like it would fit the Emperor well. Could you show us a picture of your pen in the pouch? When I bought my Emperor years ago, the only pouch that Pilot made was way too tight. So I bought a custom-made Takuya pen case that fits my Emperor like a glove.

 

 

Would you mind posting some photos of the case (and a link if you have one? This pen writes too damn well (and my life is too untethered) for it to be relegated to a desktop.

 

Thank you shuuemura for your lovely comment. I surely blame you & your amazing reviews solely for this purchase.

A subtle character of both your and @mongrelnomad's reviews are that they are devoid of any egotistic or didactic sharing of knowledge or information, which makes those thoroughly enjoyable & involved reading. (though there might be certain cultural barriers to English as a language as it taught in different countries)

 

@mongrelnomad - Shared a picture of a locally made case below.

 

 

The Pilot pouch unfortunately falls short for the emperor, because of the same reason (way too tight for the tail end to go inside). I have got a locally made 4-pen leather pouch for the same which can take in larger pens: both the Izumo & the Emperor. Thanks to Pradeep (@pgd84) for making that possible.

 

Picture comparing with a pelikan 3 pen pouch & the locally made 4-pen pouch (made by a surgeon as a hobby, by the way )

 

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag127/soniknitr/IMG_4147_zpshhcmrhjr.jpg

 

Can you see a bit of Red bulging out?

Yes that's the Emperor

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag127/soniknitr/IMG_4148_zpsx3aadp7f.jpg

 

PS: I have to stop reading yours & @mongrelnomad's reviews for sometime now, to save some money!!

 

Regards,

Sonik

Edited January 12, 2016 by soniknitr

[sannidh]

Hi Sonik

 

Excellent review of a beautiful pen. Don't mind sharing that this pen has shaken up the list of my grail pens and climbed to the top.

 

And before anyone objects and says that there can be only ONE GRAIL pen, I disagree. I have a wish list and call all of them my Grail pens.

 

But if someone were to force me and ask to choose the ONE PEN under pain of torture, then I believe this is what I would mention.

 

Cool review and very nice pics. Thanks for sharing.

 

Cheers

Sudhir

 

Thank you so much for the wonderful 'GRAIL' comment Sudhir.

 

Superb review of a superb pen...congrats Mr.Mishra.

Thank you Sagar

 

Would you mind posting some photos of the case (and a link if you have one? This pen writes too damn well (and my life is too untethered) for it to be relegated to a desktop.

 

Happy that you love the way this pen writes . Did you get a Fine nib for this?

Thanks for the detailed review. It is nice to see other FPN members writing long, detailed reviews.

 

I would add that the inside of the cap has an almost velvety feel so that it can be posted without scratching.

 

Also, that picture of the older style nib after the Dunhill one is not one I have seen before. I thought the old ones said Namiki, not pilot.

 

Thank you zaddick for adding the velvety feel of the inside of the cap. I did miss it in the review.

I was also surprised with the first editions branding it as PILOT rather.

[sannidh]

Pictures speak a thousand words and your review even more. Excellent review helping understand the pen the history the heritage the features. A beautiful featured picturesque documentary of a lovely pen. May you be blessed won most and more of such lovely gems of writing instruments.

 

Thank you Sanjay so much & welcome back to the FP world after your enjoyable trip

Fantastic review Sonik of a pen that is considered a grail by many. Can you compare the writing performance against a MB149 or any Bock #8 nib?.

 

Regards,

 

Prithwijit

@Prithwijit - Thank you . I think it would be unfair to compare between MB149/m1000/Namiki#50. As I write more with the Emperor, its nib taking on a softer and more fluently responsive character of its own (don't have words to describe that, but it's good ).

Though, initially it felt like it was a big version of a Pilot#15 nib with some added spring & softness, a partial resemblance with the 23kt Pd Homo Sapiens nib (Bock#6), till the ebonite feed came back to business.

 

You would like the current MB149 nibs too (inhoused as I understand, I would strongly recommend one against m1000), they have quite a different character (more like with just the required amount of wetness/control without sliding away with your flourishes), and some flex. (for which I feel like lacking the artistic talent).

 

Superb review, Sonik! Thorough as always!

I have always been a fan of the background you provide at the beginning of your review.

 

Have you measured the ink capacity? Looks like it would easily hold about 8-10mL.

 

So, maybe I missed it, but how much ink can this thing hold?? Amazing nib!!

 

@Steve, @Abner, I had used four to four&half, fills using the supplied ink-dropper. One dropper discharge effectively releases 1-1.1 mL of ink (it does keep some ink inside), so going by that calculation it should be able to take in at least 4.5 - 5 mL of ink. I guess @shuuemura can support/reject my claim

 

Thank you !

 

 

I love this case. Truly made for the Emperor size

 

Regards,

Sonik

Edited January 12, 2016 by soniknitr